Overview 

Expert witnesses' testimonies can provide critical insights and support for various aspects of a case. The effective use of expert witnesses can significantly influence the outcome of legal proceedings, which makes their proper selection and presentation essential for any legal professional.  

Enhance your understanding of the crucial role that expert witnesses with our upcoming webinar exploring the following:  

• Legal standards that govern the admissibility of expert testimony in court. 

• Skills to effectively question expert witnesses for clear, credible, and compelling testimonies. 

• Strategies to bolster the credibility of your expert witnesses and maximise the impact of their testimony. 

Join our seasoned legal expert Adv. Dwight Snyman on the 29th of July 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. as he lays down strategies to enhance your courtroom performance and ensure your expert witnesses make a significant impact.   

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the critical role of expert evidence in civil litigation. 

• Learn the criteria for selecting and qualifying expert witnesses. 

• Master the process of preparing expert reports and ensuring their admissibility. 

• Develop effective strategies for presenting expert testimony in court. 

• Gain skills in cross-examining opposing expert witnesses to challenge their credibility and findings. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics: 

• Understanding the Role of Expert Evidence  

  • Importance of expert evidence in clarifying complex issues. 

  • Situations where expert testimony is critical. 

  • Legal standards and requirements for expert evidence. 

• Selecting and Qualifying Expert Witnesses  

  • Criteria for choosing an expert witness. 

  • Steps to qualify an expert in court. 

  • Balancing expertise, credibility, and communication skills. 

• Preparing Expert Reports 

  • Essential components of a robust expert report. 

  • Ensuring compliance with legal standards and procedural rules. 

  • Addressing potential challenges to the report's admissibility. 

• Admissibility of Expert Evidence 

  • Legal framework governing the admissibility of expert evidence. 

  • Common objections and grounds for excluding expert testimony. 

  • Strategies for overcoming admissibility challenges. 

• Presenting Expert Testimony 

  • Techniques for effective direct examination of expert witnesses. 

  • Use of visual aids and other tools to enhance testimony. 

  • Managing complex technical details in a comprehensible manner. 

• Cross-examining Expert Witnesses 

  • Objectives of cross-examination. 

  • Common tactics for undermining opposing expert testimony. 

  • Handling evasive or uncooperative experts. 

• Ethical Considerations in Using Expert Evidence 

  • Maintaining objectivity and avoiding bias. 

  • Ethical obligations to the court and client. 

  • Case studies of ethical dilemmas and resolutions. 

• Collaborating with Experts Throughout the Litigation Process 

  • Effective communication and collaboration with experts. 

  • Integrating expert findings into overall case strategy. 

  • Managing timelines and expectations. 

About the presenter 

Adv. Dwight Snyman 

Adv. Dwight Snyman is an admitted member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates and is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Council as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Adv. Snyman completed articles of clerkship, and attorney’s competency exams under the auspices of the Wits Law Clinic. He completed his Advocacy pupillage under the tutelage of the esteemed Adv. Louis Du Bruyn. 

Adv. Snyman has had opportunity and success in litigation, in the High and Magistrates’ Courts of the republic, the CCMA, Disciplinary Hearings and assorted other venues and forums, and has become possessed of practical litigation experience beyond what would normally be expected from a practitioner of his age and seniority. He is the holder of a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from the University of Cape Town, and postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Witwatersrand, for which he was accorded the honour of being on the Dean’s list for his academic performance.    

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Advocates. 

• Attorneys. 

• Estates administrators. 

• Corporate Legal Professionals. 

• Legal Academic. 

• Candidate attorneys. 

• Law Students. 

• Paralegals. 

Price              

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R184 per person (up to 5 users)  

• Group Price 2 - From R121 per person (up to 10 users)  

• Group Price 3 - From R109 per person (over 11 users)  

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar. 

About SA Legal Academy 

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy. 

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses. 

Corporate Training Solutions 

At SALA, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios. 

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals. 

Contact Us For More Information 

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!  

• Online chat through our website.  

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448  

• E-mail: [email protected]